Cactus Leaves

[Pika]

I just came back from the grocery store and in the veggie section there were a pile of catus leaves- looked like a prickly green pancake.
What does one do with cactus leaves?? I wanted to buy some but then I realized other than looking at them I had no idea at all what I would do with them.
Thanks in advance for the info..

[spokewench]

Are you talking about the Nopolitas (sp?) the end of the prickly pear cactus; about an inch or so thick? You trim peel the skin and the thorns and you cook it like any vegetable; cut up, steamed, fried, sauteed in olive oil; diced and cooked with tomatos and peppers in olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon is my favorite!
YUM

[Pika]

Thanks- I think that may be what they were- the sign actually said cactus leaves- but they could have been nopolitas- have to say they were totally new to me here in the "frozen north"
Guess if I were serious about a "hundred mile" diet they'd be out for sure- maybe a thousand mile diet- I did notice the garlic they had in the store was from China- seems crazy since I know for sure they grow amazing garlic around here- have always been meaning to go to the "garlic festival"-.... oops seems I hijacked my own thread!
thanks again sw

[Wahine]

Pika - they use cactus leaves in mexican cooking a lot, they're in the stores down here all the time. My receptionista (mexican gal) peels them as outlined above and sautees them then sprinkles them with chili powder and lime juice. Mind you Mexicans put chili pepper and lime on everything, even watermelon!!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, that sounds good! I saw some at our co-op, might have to go buy 'em and give 'em a try.

[Pika]

Well tonight at our usual Sunday night dinner (typically 8-10 people) I decided to try out the cactus leaves with the recipes mentioned above - because of the other veggies etc the lime and chili version seemed to be the one to try....
no one ( Wahine mentioned the SLIME!
As soon as I started to peel them they started to ooze just like an aloe plant- and I couldn't get rid of it-it literally slimed everyone's plate- LOL
We were all killing ourselves laughing because you couldn't pick up your fork with out a tendril of slime back to your plate! YUCK!

OK.. is it supposed to do that? were they just old cactus leaves? What gives??

[snapdragen]

I've got friends that adore Nopalitos, I've never tried 'em though. Found this site, looks like the slime is normal?

Oh, and we called them Beaver Tails when I was growing up.

Cactus Leaves

[tulip]

When I lived in Austin, Pacos Tacos on the east side had the best napolito enchiladas. I have no idea how they were made, but they were not slimy. Soft and tasty, but no slime.

[Pika]

Thanks Maybe these were just old therefore more slimy- not sure I'll try them again here-probably a good reason to stick to veggies grown close to home- if they have had to travel a long way and stored, I'm likely not getting a representation of what they are really supposed to be like.
I think I'll wait until I'm somehwere where it is condiered local before I try them again

[Wahine]

Pika - I have it from my Mexican source that they will be slimy when you peel them but then you sautee them or blanche them and the sliminess goes away. I've never made 'em myself. I have great sources for Mexican food, why would I bother to make it myself? I'm so spoiled. Remember that I'm a pig.